Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-03-25
his hand, and awaited the overcoming
monster!


The spruce-bushes parted suddenly;
but, instead of disclosing the form OF
ferocious bear, nothing more formida-
BILE than the good-humored features of
Joe Whitney, adorned with an ex-
pressive grin, was revealed. There
were traces ot recent tears on his
freck;ed face; get mirth beamed from
his eye, and it was evident that the re-
cent punishment had not had very
depressing effect on his animal spirits.
Thought was bear, didn't you,
radP" he remarked, laughing. And
Fad. too much relieved at the prospect
Of companionship to feel very angry,
answered. with feeble smile, that he
was kind of startled, and made haste
to change the subject.
"Fve got seven trout, but they're aw-
full small" said Tad, producing his
catch, with rather disconsolate air.
Joe started, whistled and then
roared.
"Why, you goosier' he shouted, but
20 good-naturedly that it was impos-
sible to be angry with him, ''those
amt trout--they're chubsr'
Poor Tad felt tremendously morti-
fed, but speedily forgot his mortif-
cation in real honest admiration OF a
string Of trout-the largest Of which
would not weigh quite quarter Of a
pound-that Joe brought out, together
with an alder pole, from the thicket
where he had enacted the bear.
II dug some bait on the way, and
caught these little fellows coming
along" explained Joe, as he held them
up before his companions admiring
gaze.
''Oh, sOouldnt I like to catch just
one troutr' sighed Tad; and Joe
stoutly assured him not to worry-he'd
put him up to catching more than one
perhaps half dozen-before they
returned.
"Did it hurt you Uery muchP' in
quired Tad, presently, with delicate
reference to the cause of his compan-
ions detention.
"The pasteboard wasn't quite low
down enough said Joe, mournfully,
and Tad asked no further questions.
'Father didn't fog me for just hav-
ing a little fun with you and Miss
Smith," Joe went on after short
pause. ''but because he said as good
as lied when l made her think that
you was deaf, and you think that she
was"
"Well,n returned Tad, hesitatingly,
81 don't know-you didn't mean to say
what wasn't true, any way"
mo-" said Joe, frankly; II didn't! l
hate a square up and down lie as bad
as the next one; but, come to study on
it over, | guess we fellows don't stop to
think long enough, sometimes, and lie
when we don't mean to; anyhow, | do,
and I'm going to try and stop it,"
ais was quite an admission for Joe,
who was generally very chary of ac-
knowledging his faults. But he had
begun to feel strong boyish affection
for his companion, and spoke more
openly to him than he was in the habit
of doing.
"But what made you so long getting
here?" asked Tad, breaking the little
silence that followed.
"Why, after father-got through
with me, returned Joe, while hui
morous smile began to hover about his
mouth, "he set me churning, and went
off down town on an errand. Mother,
she was sent for to go over to Mis-
Emory's, all Of a sudden, and, by gra-
ciousr said Joe. rubbing his shoul-
ders, 81 thought my arms would just
unhinge out of the sockets before the
butter came. Well, Nell, she took the
butter down into the cellar kitchen to
work it, and forgot to empt' the churn
(as mother always does), and whilst
she was down there" continued Joe,
whose smile had begun to broaden, II
saw father coming up the walk, so what
does / do but get hold of the churn-
dasher again. Father, he came in.
mere my son. ne says, ! guess
you W y'on Puiis"eu .,' 'Ju Va"
so no", anu 'l,eii NO '1oA 'no i onuln
uasner r,sn' gu. oi my manu-. xm n,o.n. %
u n'sh sos vaoN' ., II Nei uon
eoino , up,s,ails, ,s, auueu 'oe' WIN IN ~, IN
,tepless'oie si,iohei' =, eNPo,, iiNeiy
NO Vnu,',s D"''siiiiiiA now
AS au knew ,, r,,'ner iess 'nan not
emu lese.u.p 'ne ny s.e,ies n.., ~ oi'urn-
ins' '"v pm u ooe ns''o IoAo "se
no. pealssy .,s Vas"' % ~ ,,is ,,,a omn 4i'Iu, I
Anr p,in"ps' on .Sooonr s"ousn'' ooe
deception practiced toward his father
=. A -. 4. i-a...:.. =. -..;.t L.: -.
was not eNhctly Ill Keeping Wlln MS pro-
fessed penitence Of a moment or two
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